UN Security Council Remarks: Quarterly Debate on UNAMA - December 21, 2017

Mr. President,

I would like to thank Special Representative of the Secretary General for Afghanistan Mr. Tadamichi Yamamoto for his engaging briefing. There are three themes I will address today.

First, women’s full and equal participation in all facets of Afghan life is essential. Sustainable peace and security cannot be achieved without the active and substantive participation of all members of society. Although there has been progress in women’s rights, women continue to be at a disadvantage in Afghanistan.

As we look forward to 2018, and the forthcoming elections, I am sure that we can all agree on the importance of encouraging and supporting the meaningful participation of women as both candidates and informed voters. It is essential that the election process be inclusive, transparent and fair in order to yield credible results. This goes hand in hand with emboldening the representation of women in governance structures. For political stability, economic progress and development, Canada strongly supports the view that women must join men at the centre of decision-making at all levels of Afghan politics, society, and economy. 

This brings me to the second theme: the importance of economic development. There are many means to support economic progress and regional integration in South and Central Asia. The Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process and the Regional Economic Cooperation Conference on Afghanistan are two of them. Co-hosted by Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan, whom I sincerely thank for their efforts, both events are illustrative of the important role regional and international actors can play alongside our Afghan counterparts in promoting our common interests of regional stability, economic integration and ultimately the creation of conditions for peace and prosperity.  

My third and final theme is the peace process in Afghanistan. Fighting in Afghanistan intensified in 2017, taking an unacceptable toll on the civilian population. Peace negotiations between the Afghan Government and the armed opposition - especially the Taliban - are necessary. Canada fully supports an Afghan-led Afghan owned peace process. It is my hope that the Kabul Process will bear fruit and that the level of violence we have seen of late will diminish. Canada looks forward to participating in the next Kabul Process meeting in February.

To conclude, I would be remiss if I did not mention Canada’s deep concern over the deterioration of security in Afghanistan, particularly the impact instability and insecurity has on women and children. We look to Afghanistan’s neighbours and partners to continue to work with the Government of Afghanistan to increase gender equality, to increase economic integration and regional stability and advance peace negotiations. All are vital to the pursuit of peace and security in Afghanistan. Thank you

.

Thank you.